After taking a step back from the 2025 season, its time to look towards the next one.
The NFL offseason which officially starts after thd Super Bowl is a time where every team sells their fans on “hope!” Both the Patriots and Seahawks were not favored to win their division let alone make the Super Bowl and yet here they are.
With the right offseason and some good luck, the Buccaneers can do the same thing in 2026.
The first part of the offseason starts with free agency.
Then I’ll look at the draft but will focus on positions they need to upgrade as opposed to specific players.
Part 1
Free Agency
QB’s
Bucs need a veteran journeyman to back up Baker. This guy won’t be a threat to start but they have to get a guy who’s better than Teddy Bridgewater in the event that Baker goes down with an injury. Someone like Marcus Mariotta comes to mind.
RB’s
I’m not sure that Bucky Irving can be counted on to be the bell cow for next season. Tyler Allgeier would be a nice pick up. He knows Zac Robinsons system and won’t be too expensive. Irving, Allgeier and Tucker would be a good RB trio.
OG
A veteran guard who can also play center in a pinch. The Bucs cannot let their season fall apart by not protecting themselves on the interior. Greg Van Roten from the Giants could be that guy. At 35 his best days are behind him but he could play all three interior positions if needed.
For this exercise I’m bringing back Cade Otton and have decided that Lavonte David has retired and Mike Evans agrees to return for 1 more year.
On defense is where the fun really begins.
I’m switching the defense to a 4/3 and because there are so many holes on this the front 7, now is the perfect time to make that change. Bucs played lots of 4 man fronts in 2025 so it’s really not that big of a deal.
DE’s
It’s no secret that they have been terrible at rushing the passer. Their biggest offseason splash will be Trey Hendrickson.
LB’s
With David retiring, the Buccaneers need a veteran guy to do what Hardy Nickerson did. A guy who can teach the younger guys how to be a pro. Someone like Kaeden Ellis would be a good pick up.
Part 2
Draft
- Rd 1 DE/EDGE or LB
- Rd 2 LB or DE/EDGE
- Rd 3 LB
- Rd 4 CB
- Rd 5 TE
- Rd 6 OG
- Rd 7 DE/EDGE
I know it would be easier to just throw names in those spots but I’m the furthest thing from a draft guru that there is.
With these moves, the Bucs have addressed most of their needs. We will find out by the end of March just how serious the Buccaneers are about contending for a SB. On offense they really aren’t that far away. The Bucs haven’t signed too many guys from other teams during free agency. That must change starting in March.
Let the offseason begin!
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